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The Impact of War on Children
Soothing Kids in Tumultuous Times By Jenn Director Knudsen
Singler emphasizes there is no right or wrong way to react to a war or to mitigate a child's fear of it. But there are actions parents can take to decrease a child's stress level.
Experts and parents agree the key to helping kids and themselves is to communicate and face reality. In other words, talk about the war; avoiding it just leads to worse problems. "You can't pretend it's not out there; that'd probably be the worst thing," Singler says, adding even very young children pick up on the fact things aren't quite right.
"Parents are afraid, and their children are also afraid," says Naomi Drew, parenting expert and author of Hope and Healing: Peaceful Parenting in an Uncertain World (Citadel Press Books, 2002). And kids' fear and subsequent anxiety often stem from failure to discuss the issues foremost on their minds. So Drew devised a recipe of sorts each letter in the word CALMING stands for an action a parent can take to help draw out and comfort her child.
Ask your child how he's doing without offering too much information, especially to children younger than 6.
Listen with an open heart; engage in active listening.
Make your home a place of peace, for example, by initiating family meetings.
